Neurodegeneration News and Research

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Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons.

CBD shows promise, but this review warns the hype is outpacing the science

A Neuropsychopharmacology Circumspectives article argues that cannabidiol has genuine therapeutic potential, especially in treatment-resistant pediatric epilepsy, but evidence for most other uses remains limited, heterogeneous, and not yet mature enough for broad clinical adoption. The authors also warn that poor retail product quality, inaccurate labeling, contaminants, hepatotoxicity risk, and drug interactions are major barriers to safe and effective real-world use.

20 Apr 2026

How the immune system may influence Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related diseases

This review argues that neurodegeneration is shaped not only by toxic protein buildup but also by immune signaling, with microglia and T cells able to either protect the brain or worsen damage depending on context. It also highlights aging, head injury, and viral infection as major forces that reshape CNS immunity and may influence disease progression and future treatment strategies.

16 Apr 2026

Researchers discover a molecular signature to flag dysfunctional aging cells

UCLA researchers have identified a rogue population of immune cells that quietly accumulates in aging tissues and in the livers of people with fatty liver disease. Clearing these cells, they found, dramatically reduced inflammation and reversed liver damage in mice - even while the animals remained on an unhealthy diet.

16 Apr 2026

Study explains failure of cellular cleanup in neurodegenerative diseases

Inside every cell, a cleanup operation runs around the clock. Proteins are constantly damaged by wear and tear. Some can be repaired, while others must be dismantled and recycled.

15 Apr 2026

Aston University bioscientist receives £125,000 to investigate genetic reasons for neurodegeneration

Aston University bioscientist Dr John Reynolds has won a £125,000 Springboard grant from the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) for research into neurodegeneration caused by a rare genetic disease.

15 Apr 2026

Research aims to identify blood biomarkers for predicting Alzheimer's disease

With a NOK 40 million (approx. €3.5 million) grant, Professor Srdjan Djurovic at the University of Oslo aims to identify early blood-based biomarkers that can predict who is at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

13 Apr 2026

Study seeks improved diagnosis and care for veterans with TBI

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious issue affecting thousands of people in the U.S. every year. For military service members, the impact is even more profound.

11 Apr 2026

Study reveals lung-brain link between smoking and neurodegeneration

The correlation between smoking and neurodegeneration is well-documented, with one study from 2011 finding heavy smoking in midlife was associated with a greater than 100% increase in risk of dementia, Alzheimer's and vascular dementia more than two decades later.

8 Apr 2026

Study outlines principles for using CAR immunotherapies to treat neurodegenerative diseases

A UAB research team defines the criteria that CAR immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases must meet to advance both conceptually and in trials, which are still at a very preliminary stage, in a review study published in the journal Trends in Pharmacological Sciences.

8 Apr 2026

Study reveals how tau tangles spread from one brain region to another in Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that slowly impairs memory, affects thinking skills, and eventually interferes with daily functioning.

8 Apr 2026

High-dose flu vaccine reduces Alzheimer’s risk in older adults

A study reveals high-dose influenza vaccines could modestly reduce Alzheimer's risk in older adults, especially women, offering new insights into prevention.

8 Apr 2026

Study questions benefits of fish oil after mild brain injuries

A first-of-its-kind study led by the Medical University of South Carolina raises questions about the value of fish oil supplements for people with repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries.

7 Apr 2026

Hearing loss and sex shape dual-task outcomes in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Cognitive and physical training can help older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) maintain or improve their ability to move and think simultaneously, but hearing ability and sex influence outcomes, according to a new Concordia-led study.

7 Apr 2026

Gladstone investigator wins MIND Prize to decode hidden Alzheimer’s genetics

Gladstone Institutes investigator Ryan Corces, PhD, has been named a 2026 winner of the Pershing Square Foundation's MIND Prize, a prestigious award recognizing next-frontier thinkers who are uncovering a deeper understanding of the brain and cognition.

7 Apr 2026

First participants join clinical study to fast-track dementia research in the UK

The Dementia Trials Accelerator has taken a significant step towards transforming dementia clinical trials in the UK by welcoming its first participants into clinics for simple tests that will ultimately get the right people into clinical trials quicker, speeding up vital research.

7 Apr 2026

New compounds reduce inflammation without weakening immune defense

Scripps Research scientists have developed a new class of drug compounds that reduce harmful inflammation while leaving the body's ability to fight infections intact-a long-sought goal in treating autoimmune diseases.

6 Apr 2026

Oral molecule prevents kidney stones and restores survival in mice

Scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have shown that an orally administered small molecule, N-propargylglycine (N-PPG), can completely prevent the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones, protect against kidney failure, and fully restore normal survival in a mouse model of Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 2 (PH2), a rare and currently untreatable genetic disorder that causes progressive kidney failure in infants and young adults.

2 Apr 2026